The classic cop drama follows the cases of laconic Sgt. Joe Friday and his various sidekicks in storylines drawn from actual case files. Originally a radio vehicle for star Jack Webb, the Emmy-winning series was a pioneer in its realistic depiction of poli (more…)The classic cop drama follows the cases of laconic Sgt. Joe Friday and his various sidekicks in storylines drawn from actual case files. Originally a radio vehicle for star Jack Webb, the Emmy-winning series was a pioneer in its realistic depiction of police work, though its staccato, just-the-facts dialogue and voice-over narration became the stuff of parody. The show proved enduringly popular, inspiring a 1954 feature, a 1987 spoof (with Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks) and a 2003 ABC revival.